Patent GB-128962-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Controlling Torpedo-firing.
Inventor: HAMMOND JOHN HAYS
IPC: F41G9/00
Filed: 1915-12-09
Abstract: 128,962. Hammond, J. H. Dec. 9, 1915. Torpedoes, locomotive; launching torpedoes. - Consists in directing launching-tubes from a distance, for example by a distant sighting-device, by means of step-by-step transmitters and receivers working in synchronism. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a sighting-device 1 is geared to a step-by-step transmitter 6 connected by leads 7 to a step-by-step receiver 8 which is geared to an azimuth ring 18 made with two halfcircular contacts 22, 23 forming a hunting switch with a contact arm 21 depending from a torpedo tube 10. This switch controls a shunt motor 16 through a relay comprising two solenoids 32, 33 with a battery 30 in circuit with the azimuth ring and contact-arm, and a switch 34 actuated by the solenoids for doubly closing and opening the armature circuit of the motor 16, which is geared to the trainable base 11 of the torpedo tube, and causes it to follow the direction of the sighting- device 1. Where several torpedo tubes are used, they may be made to converge or diverge relatively to each other, for example by means similar to the means for causing convergence and divergence between several torpedoes described in Specification 17300/15. Or convergence or divergence may be superimposed on the direction given to the tube by adjustments of the gyroscopic steering-gears of the torpedoes by the means described in the aforesaid Specification. Instead of the electric hunting switches described in the aforesaid Specification, hunting valves may be used for adjusting the gyroscopic steering-gears. Various other devices described in the aforesaid Specification, for example sight-correctors, may also be used in conjunction with the present invention. An electric step-by-step transmitting and receiving system suitable for the purpose of the invention is shown in Fig. 13. The torpedo tube is carried by a spindle 19.6 which is geared to a pair of countershafts 198, 200, and can be moved step-by-step in one direction or the other by means of ratchet pawls 202, 204 connected to rocking armatures of electro-magnets R<c>, R<cc>. The distant sighting-device by means of which the torpedo tube is controlled is mounted on the spindle of the arm 180 moving over an azimuth ring comprising insulated semicircular segments 181, 184. The azimuth ring is geared to a pair of countershafts 188, 190 and can be moved step-by-step in one direction or the other by means of ratchet pawls 192, 194 connected to rocking armatures of electro-magnets T<c>, Tee. Any movement of the sighting-device causing the arm 180 to touch one of the contacts 181 or 184 of the azimuth ring completes the circuit of one of the transmitting electro-magnets T<c>, T<cc>, say T<c>. The armature of this electro-magnet is thereupon rocked and rotates the azimuth ring one step. At the same time, a bridge contact 239 is rotated by the armature to complete the circuit of the electro-magnet independently of the azimuth ring, in order to ensure the completion of the sequence of operations thus initiated. Another bridge contact 236 is also rotated by the armature and closes the circuit of the receiving-electro-magnet R<c>, the armature of which rocks and rotates the torpedo tube one step corresponding to the rotary step of the azimuth ring at the transmitting-station. The armature of the receiving electro-magnet R<c> at the same time rotates two bridge contacts 242, 230. The bridge contact 242 closes the circuit of a relay 225 at the transmitting-station to put the azimuth ring temporarily out of action to prevent the arm 180 from initiating a fresh step while the sequence of operations required for completing the first step is proceeding. The other bridge contact 230 actuated by the armature of the receiving electro-magnet R<c> serves to break the circuit of the transmitting electro-magnet T<c> when the armature of the receiving electro-magnet has performed the above-mentioned functions. The armature of the transmitting electro-magnet is then rocked back by a spring to its normal position. This cuts the circuit of the receiving electro-magnet, which is also returned by a spring to its normal position. This in turn cuts the circuit of the relay 225 and restores the operative control of the azimuth ring over the transmitting electro-magnets. If the arm 180 is still, or is again brought, on a contact of the azimuth ring, a fresh step is made in the rotational positions of the azimuth rings and torpedo tubes, thus ensuring that the torpedo tube shall follow synchronously the movements of the sighting-device. An electro-magnet suitable for the above-described operations is shown in Figs. 14 and 15. It comprises a pair of coils 205, and an armature 207 which is mounted on a spindle 208 and is normally held against a screw stop 209 bv a spring 210. The pole-pieces are cut away as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14, to permit the rocking movement of the armature. The armature is connected to the ratchet pawl 192 by means of an arm 212 on its spindle. The bridge contacts 239, 236 actuated by the armature are carried by two disks 213, 215, which have slots 218, 219 engaged by pins 217, 220 on the arm 212.